It is another busy Saturday in the horse racing world with some big races in Ireland but there are some decent meetings in the UK too, not least the one at Newbury where we have picked out two selections. We also like one at Ripon to form our three bets on the day.
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2.25 Newbury
Preview
A big field for this 2 mile handicap, seeing many coming here from runs at Royal Ascot. The first of those is favourite Stratum who was 3rd in the Ascot Stakes having been trapped quite wide for much of the race. He is, however, 2lbs higher which isn’t a great sign having failed to win last time. He’s not without a chance but I wouldn’t personally have him as favourite. Almoghared is a very interesting runner, the sole 3 year old in the field who was around 7 lengths behind subsequent Group 1 winner Kew Gardens last time. He is very lightly raced & I just wonder whether the conditions of this race will suit.
Betting
The one I fancy is Quloob, another lightly raced type but he does still have 8 races to his name & is a year older than Almoghared. As a 3 year old, he won 3 of his 4 starts including 2 for today’s jockey. In fact, his only defeat was by a neck & was to a horse that has since finished 2nd in that Ascot Stakes off a 12lb higher mark. Our horse is just 4lb higher than that defeat today so, on a line through the horse he lost to, Dubawi Fifty, he looks well in here. He’s only raced once this term, when 6 lengths behind Amazing Red who is 9lbs worse off here. However, he’s entitled to come on significantly for that run & should be suited the extra 2 furlongs. No doubt it’s a competitive race but I think he’s the one most likely to have been underestimated by the handicapper.
Tips
Back Quloob (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 9.00 Betfair BOG (⅕ odds 1-5)
Back it here:
3.35 Newbury
Preview
It’s time of the big field sprint for 2 year olds, the Super Sprint. As competitive as ever, picking the winner is no easy task but I’ll have a stab. Kinks is a solid favourite, having won 2 of his first 3 races, but has since finished 6th twice, one in the National Stakes at Sandown & then at Royal Ascot. I did expect a little more of him but he has a good racing weight here & should go well. Little Kim won a Group 3 last time out in France so must be feared but is carrying a penalty for that &, on that basis, I’ll oppose her. Tin Hat is the 3rd of the market leaders but his form has an uneven feel to it & is priced up off the back of a decent run in the Windsor Castle.
Betting
With the top Northern yard of Richard Fahey landing this prize in 3 of the last 5 runnings, his 6 strong team cannot be ignored so I’m on the stable 1st string ridden by the stable jockey, Red Balloon. When her trainer says things like “it’s the race I’ve had in mind since the start of the season” & “I’m very happy with her”, you’ve got to take note. Her form is none too shabby either. She perhaps should have won at Musselburgh on her 2nd start but didn’t get the clearest of runs & then finished down the field at Royal Ascot. However, her last run where she won readily at Nottingham is the piece of form that puts her bang in the mix here. She travelled well, quickened nicely & won cosily that day. Add to that she recorded a good time on the clock too & comes out ahead in the adjusted Topspeed figures, her chances look to be rock solid.
Tips
Back Red Balloon (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 7.50 Coral BOG (⅕ odds 1-5)
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4.05 Ripon
Preview
A good looking mile & a half Class 2 handicap around the sharp turns of Ripon, where Aasheq is the favourite having won 3 of his last 4 starts. That said, he pushed back 4lbs for a defeat & will surely face stiff competition for the lead here so is passed over. Sofias Rock is the 2nd favourite but is another that likes to bowl along in front & all his wins have come in small fields when being able to do that.
Betting
Despite Aasheq being the stable’s 1st string, I like the chances of Appointed. He’s from a yard is decent form with 13 winners in the past fortnight & ridden by the jockey of the moment, who lost her claim recently & has since rode 5 winners from her last 8 rides, including 1 at 40/1. But, what of the horse? Well, he’s not won for a year but that was off a 4lb higher mark & he’s not been disgraced since. He’s stepping up in trip which, off the back of some efforts where he’s been staying on, seems a good move. Add to that the fact there’s likely to be a fast pace, he could be picking them off late. He has not be suited by steadily run races in small fields this term & that has seen his mark come down to just 84 (started off this year off 89). Last time out was encouraging despite finishing 5th of 6. He travelled well but never got a run & was eased inside the final furlong. It was nice to see the handicapper take a further 1lb off &, with conditions to suit today, I’m expecting him to trouble the judge.
Tips
PLACED – Back Appointed (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 10.00 Skybet BOG (⅕ odds 1-4)
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